Magnetic jewelry clasp and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

A jewelry clasp that provides an ease for fastening and superior security. The jewelry clasp includes a first housing for securing a first magnet and a second housing for securing a second magnet. The first magnet has an exposed surface with a north pole and the second magnet has an exposed surface with a south pole. The first housing also includes a retaining wall with an opening. The clasp has a magnetic locking arrangement wherein the second housing is removably secured within the open recess of the first housing and the north pole of the first magnet is magnetically attracted and aligned with the south pole of the second magnet. The clasp also has a mechanical locking arrangement wherein the second housing is fit into the second recess of the first housing and a connector of the second housing is placed in the opening of the retaining wall of the first housing.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed technology relates to a jewelry clasp. More particularly, to a jewelry clasp for easily joining the two free ends of a jewelry chain together.

With certain jewelry, particularly women's jewelry, there is an inherent conflict between the need to make the clasp easy to facilitate so that the wearer can readily join the free ends of the bracelet or necklace, and the need to make the clasp very secure so that it does not easily and inadvertently become unattached and risk the potential loss of the jewelry.

In use, however, even people with a great deal of dexterity find it difficult to fasten necklaces behind their necks or fasten most bracelets which, by their nature, must be fastened with the use of only one hand. This problem is compounded many fold in the case of older people or the many millions of people who suffer from even mild cases of arthritis or similar afflictions that limit the use of the hands.

Magnetic clasps are widely used for costume jewelry. However, manufacturers and retailers of fine jewelry (gold jewelry, sterling silver jewelry or jewelry containing gemstones) offer necklaces with magnetic clasps less frequently. Makers and wearers of fine jewelry usually opt for security over ease of use.

SUMMARY

In one implementation, a jewelry clasp includes; a first housing for fixedly securing a first magnet, the first magnet having an exposed face with a north pole, the first housing further including a open recess and a retaining wall with an opening; a second housing for fixedly securing a second magnet, the second magnet having an exposed face with a south pole, the second housing further including a connector; a magnetic locking arrangement wherein the second housing is removably secured within the open recess of the first housing and the north pole of the first magnet is magnetically attracted and aligned with the south pole of the second magnet; and a mechanical locking arrangement wherein the connector of the second housing is placed in the opening of the retaining wall.

In some implementations, a magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet aligns the exposed surfaces of the first magnet and the second magnet in a flat position which in turn brings a bottom surface of the second housing in contact a top surface of the recess of the first housing which in turn allows the connector of the housing to fit into the opening of the retaining wall thereby mechanically securing the first housing to the second housing.

In some implementations, in order to unlock the clasp, the first housing is pulled up and away from the second housing so that the connector is disengaged with the opening of retaining wall thereby removing the connector from its position within the opening and breaking a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

In some implementations, the first magnet of the first housing can include a protrusion and the second magnet of the second housing can include a void wherein the protrusion fits into the void so that the first magnet can properly align with the second magnet. In some implementations, the top surface of the recess can be partially or completely made from a layer of ferric metal. And in some implementations, the first magnet can be fixedly secured in the first housing with a first set of flaps and the second magnet can be fixedly secured in the second housing with a second set of flaps.

In another implementation, a jewelry clasp includes: a first housing for fixedly securing a first magnet, the first magnet having an exposed face with a south pole, the first housing further including a open recess and a retaining wall with an opening; a second housing for fixedly securing a second magnet, the second magnet having an exposed face with a north pole, the second housing further including a connector; a magnetic locking arrangement wherein the second housing is removably secured within the open recess of the first housing and the south pole of the first magnet is magnetically attracted and aligned with the north pole of the second magnet; and a mechanical locking arrangement wherein the connector of the second housing is placed in the opening of the retaining wall.

The advantages of the jewelry clasp are that the clasp easily doses, is secure when closed, and is easily opened. In addition to those functional advantages, the clasp is commercially benefited by being attractive so that the clasp enhances, rather than detracts, from the overall attractive appearance of the jewelry itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 show perspective views of an underside of an unconnected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a partially connected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a connected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an underside of an unconnected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an underside of a connected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a second housing of a jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;

FIGS. 8 a-d show various views of a connected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 9 shows various views of case magnets used with a jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 10 a shows a bottom view of a jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 10 b shows a perspective view of a second housing of a jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 11 a show a bottom view of a jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; and

FIG. 11 b shows a perspective view of a second housing of a jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification describes technologies relating to jewelry clasps. FIGS. 1-4 show one implementation of a magnetic jewelry clasp. The clasp 1 includes two housings 10, 12 adapted to be joined together in a mechanical locking arrangement and a magnetic locking arrangement. The housings 10, 12 can be made of many materials, preferable of the metal material, such as silver or gold that is the same as the material used in the piece of jewelry on which the clasp is being used. The clasp can be used with any type of locking jewelry, e.g., necklaces, bracelets, watches, etc.

Housing 10 has a length L1 and a width W1 with an overall oval shape (please note, the housing can be formed in most shapes, e.g., round, square, etc.). For example, the length of housing 10 can be approximately 10-20 mm and the width can be approximately 5-15 mm. The housing 10 includes a top surface 2 a, a bottom surface 3 a, a connector 9 a, a first recess 4 for holding a fixed magnet 14, a second recess 5 for removably securing housing 12, and a retaining wall 6 partially forming the second recess 5.

The retaining wall 6 follows the circumference of the top surface 2 a and extends downwards from the top surface 2 a. The retaining wall 6 also includes an opening 7. The housing 10 may or may not have an ornamental design on some of its surfaces.

Housing 12 mirrors the shape of the second recess 5 and removably fits into the second recess 5 of housing 10. As such, housing 12 has a length L2 that can be approximately half the length of housing 10 and a width W2 approximately equal to the width of housing 10. The length of housing 12 can be approximately 5 to 10 mm and the width is approximately 5-15 mm. Housing 12 includes a top surface 2 b, a bottom surface 3 b, and a recess 8 for fixedly holding a magnet 16 and a connector 9 b.

In recesses 4, 8 of housings 10, 12 there is a magnetic means embedded. The magnetic means can comprise permanent magnets 14, 16. The magnets 14, 16 are part of a magnetic locking arrangement for the clasp 1. The permanent magnets 14, 16 can each have a predetermined polarity. In some implementations, the line of greatest magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets 14, 16 is perpendicular to an exposed or partially exposed side surface 40 a, 40 b of the magnets. The exposed surfaces 40 a, 40 b of the magnets 14, 16 have opposite poles. The magnets 14, 16, as well as the other magnets described herein with respect to other embodiments of the invention, can be rare-earth neodymium magnets, sintered, N50 strength, with strongest magnetic power being perpendicular to the exposed face of the magnets. Such magnets have the strongest magnetic power for their size of any known current magnet, however, magnets with lesser power can perform effectively in the present clasp design. The magnets can be nickel plated to improve the appearance and prevent surface abrasion or corrosion.

In use, as shown in FIG. 3, a user brings housing 10 in Direction A and in close proximity to housing 12 so that the exposed surfaces 40 a, 40 b of the magnets are close enough to be attracted one another and naturally align. That is, a south pole of magnet 14 aligns with the north pole of magnet 16 or vice versa. Thus, the magnetically attractive surfaces 40 a, 40 b are attracted to each other by the mating of the opposite poles of the individual magnets. When the two housing 10, 12 are attracted to each other, the housing 12 fits into recess 5. (See FIG. 4). At this point, the magnetic attraction tightly aligns the exposed surfaces 40 a, 40 b in a flat position which in turn brings the bottom surface of the recess of housing 10 in contact with the top surface 2 b of housing 12 which in turn allows the connector 9 b of housing 12 to fit in the opening 7 of retaining wall 6. The engagement of the connector 9 b into the opening 7 of the retaining wall engages the mechanical locking arrangement of the clasp thereby further securing the clasp 1. (See FIG. 4). When being worn by a user, a working side 3 a of housing 10 of the jewelry clasp can be worn closest to the user's skin 17 so that a design side 2 a of housing 10 can be viewed.

In order to unlock the clasp, a user grasps housing 10 and pulls the housing 10 up and away from the skin 17 of the user (as shown as Direction B in FIG. 3). This motion then moves the connector 9 b away from the opening of retaining wall thereby removing the connector 9 b from its position within the opening 7 and breaking the magnetic force of the magnets. In practice, a user can place a forefinger and a thumb on connector 9 a or at a midpoint and on both sides of the housing 10. The user then lifts the housing 10 up and away from the housing 12 misaligning the magnets and eliminating the magnetic attraction so that housing 10 is easily removed from housing 12. As such, the opening of the clasp can be accomplished with one hand without need for actual visual perception of the clasp.

In another implementation, as shown in FIG. 2, a thin (about one mm thick) magnet 11 or piece of ferric (magnetic) steel may be secured in the recess 5 of housing 10 to provide additional magnetic attraction and help attract and hold housing 12 within the recess 5. In some implementations, half of the magnet 11, or steel piece would be exposed and half would fit under and be held in by the magnet 14 permanently affixed in the housing 10. Or, in another implementation, housing 10 can be made entirely from ferric steel so as to provide additional attraction for housing 12 or the bottom of the recess can be covered with ferric steel so as to provide additional attraction for housing 12.

FIG. 5 show another implementation of a magnetic jewelry clasp. The clasp 100 includes two housings 110, 112 adapted to be joined together in a mechanical locking arrangement and a magnetic locking arrangement. The housings 10, 12 can be made of many materials, preferable of the metal material, such as silver or gold that is the same as the material used in the piece of jewelry on which the clasp is being used.

Housing 110 has a length and a width with an overall rectangular shape (please note, the housing can be formed in most shapes, e.g., round, square, etc.). The length of housing 110 can be approximately 5-20 mm and the width can be approximately 2-10 mm. The housing 110 includes a top surface 102 a, a bottom surface 103 a, a first recess 104 for holding a fixed magnet 114, a second recess 105 for holding a removable magnet, and a retaining wall 106 with an opening 107.

The retaining wall 106 follows the perimeter of the top surface 102 a and extends downwards from the top surface 102 a. The retaining wall 106 forms part of the second recess 105. The top surface of the housing may or may not have an ornamental design. The first recess includes a void 130 for receiving a protrusion 132, as will be described below.

Housing 112 fits into the second recess of housing 110 and mirrors the shape of the second recess. As such, housing 112 has a length that can be half the length of housing 110 and a width equal to the width of housing 110 with an overall rectangular shape. The length of housing 112 can be approximately 2.5 to 10 mm and the width can be approximately 2 to 10 mm. Housing 112 includes a top surface 102 b, a bottom surface 103 b, and a recess 108 for holding a fixed magnet 114, a connector 109 b and a protrusion 210.

In recess 104, 108 there is a magnetic means embedded and affixed within each of the housings 110, 112. The magnetic means can comprise permanent magnets 114, 116. The magnets 114, 116 are part of a magnetic locking arrangement for the clasp 100. The permanent magnets 114, 116 can be arranged along a longitudinal line extending between the magnets and the polarity of each of the permanent magnets 14, 16 is predetermined. In some implementations, the line of greatest magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets 114, 116 is perpendicular to an exposed or partially exposed side surface 140 a, 140 b of the magnets. The side surface of the magnets 114, 116 have opposite poles. The magnets 114, 116, as well as the other magnets described herein with respect to other embodiments of the invention, can be rare-earth neodymium magnets, sintered, N50 strength, with strongest magnetic power perpendicular to the face of the magnets. Such magnets have the strongest magnetic power for their size of any known current magnet, however, magnets with lesser power can perform effectively in the present clasp design. The magnets are preferably plated to improve the appearance and prevent surface abrasion or corrosion. When being worn by a user, a working side 103 a of housing 110 of the jewelry clasp can be worn closest to the user's skin so that a design side 102 a of housing 110 can be viewed.

In use, a user brings the two clasps 110, 112 in close proximity to each other and the exposed surfaces 140 a, 140 b of the magnets naturally align with one another. That is, a south pole of magnet 114 aligns with the north pole of magnet 116 or vice versa. Thus, the magnetically attractive surfaces 140 a, 140 b are attracted to each other by the mating of the opposite poles of the individual magnets. To ensure the magnets are properly aligned, the magnet of housing 112 includes a protrusion 130 and protrusion 130 fits into the void 132 of the magnet of housing 110, or vice versa. When the two housing 110, 112 are attracted to each other, the housing 112 fits into recess 105. At this point, the magnetic attraction aligns the exposed surfaces 140 a, 140 b in a flat position which in turn brings the top surface of the recess of housing 110 is in contact with a top surface 102 b of housing 112 which in turn allows the connector 109 b of housing 112 to fit in the opening 107 of retaining wall 106. The engagement of the connector 109 b into the opening 107 of the retaining wall engages the mechanical locking arrangement of the clasp thereby securing the clasp 100.

In order to unlock the clasp, a user grasps housing 110 and pulls the housing 110 up and away from the skin of the user which removes the connector 109 b from its position within the opening 107 and breaking the magnetic force of the magnets. In other words, a user can place a forefinger and a thumb on connector 109 a or at a midpoint and on both sides of the housing 110. The user then lifts the housing 110 up and away from the housing 112 so that housing 110 can be removed from housing 112. Once housing 112 is misaligned and disengaged, the housing 112 is free to be moved and separated from housing 110 since the magnetic attraction has been essentially eliminated. As such, the opening of the clasp can be accomplished with one hand without need for actual visual perception of the clasp.

FIGS. 6-9 show another implementation of a magnetic jewelry clasp. The clasp 200 includes two housings 210, 212 adapted to be joined together in a mechanical locking arrangement and a magnetic locking arrangement. The housings 210, 212 can be made of many materials, preferable of the metal material, such as silver or gold that is the same as the material used in the piece of jewelry on which the clasp is being used. The clasp can be used with any type of locking jewelry, e.g., necklaces, bracelets, watches, etc.

Housing 210 has a length L1 and a width W1 with an overall oval shape (please note, the housing can be formed in most shapes, e.g., round, square, etc.). For example, the length of housing 210 can be approximately 10-20 mm and the width can be approximately 5-15 mm. The housing 210 includes a top surface 202 a, a bottom surface 203 a, a connector 209 a, a first recess 204 for holding a fixed magnet 214, a second recess 205 for removably securing housing 212, and a retaining wall 206 partially forming the second recess 205.

The retaining wall 206 follows the circumference of the top surface 202 a and extends downwards from the top surface 202 a to form open recess 205. The retaining wall 206 also includes an opening 207. The housing 210 may or may not have an ornamental design on some of its surfaces.

Housing 212 mirrors the shape of the second recess 205 and removably fits into the second recess 205 of housing 210. As such, housing 212 has a length L2 that can be approximately half the length of housing 210 and a width W2 approximately equal to the width of housing 210. The length of housing 212 can be approximately 5 to 10 mm and the width is approximately 5-15 mm. Housing 212 includes a top surface 202 b, a bottom surface 203 b, and a recess 208 for fixedly holding a magnet 216 and a connector 9 b.

In recess 204, 208 of housings 10, 12 there is a magnetic means embedded. The magnetic means can comprise permanent magnets 214, 216. The magnets 214, 216 are part of a magnetic locking arrangement for the clasp 1. The magnets are shaped so that flaps 250 a-b, 252 a-b hold magnets 214, 216 within the respective recesses of housings 210, 212. The magnets 214, 216, as shown in FIG. 9, have cut-outs 260 a-b, 262 a-b for receiving the tabs 250 a-b, 252 a-b, respectively. The tabs 250 a-b, 252 a-b are folded into the cut-outs 260 a-b, 262 a-b to retain the magnet within its respective housing and allow the magnetic face of the magnet to be on a single plane. In other implementations, as shown in FIGS. 10 a-b, housing 210 can have flaps 270 a-b and housing 212 can have flaps 271 a-b for holding magnets 214 and 216 within their respective housings 210, 212, and as shown in FIGS. 11 a-b, housing 310 can have flaps 280 a-b and housing 312 can have flaps 281 a-b for holding magnets 314 and 316 within their respective housings 310, 312. In these implementations, the top side of the flaps are on the same plane as the surface of the magnet faces, 275, 285. In some implementations, a gluing operation can be used to secure the magnets within the housings but this process is time consuming, expensive and more prone to failure.

The permanent magnets 214, 216 can each have a predetermined polarity. In some implementations, the line of greatest magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets 214, 216 is perpendicular to an exposed or partially exposed side surface 240 a, 240 b of the magnets. The exposed surfaces 240 a, 240 b of the magnets 214, 216 have opposite poles. The magnets 214, 216, as well as the other magnets described herein with respect to other embodiments of the invention, can be rare-earth neodymium magnets, sintered, N50 strength, with strongest magnetic power perpendicular to the face of the magnets. Such magnets have the strongest magnetic power for their size of any known current magnet, however, magnets with lesser power can perform effectively in the present clasp design. The magnets are preferably nickel plated to improve the appearance and prevent surface abrasion or corrosion.

In some implementations, the top surface 202 a of housing 210 can be made from either a thin (about one mm thick) magnet or piece of ferric (magnetic) steel to provide additional magnetic attraction and help attract and hold housing 212 in recess 205. In this implementation, half of the magnet, or steel piece would be exposed and half would fit under and be held in by the magnet permanently affixed in the housing 210. In other implementations, to provide additional attraction, the entire top surface 202 a of housing 210 can be made of ferric steel.

In some implementations, the jewelry clasps can be made in narrow and wide versions and in various sizes so as to tie in with and look attractive with different sizes and styles of necklaces and bracelets. The jewelry clasps also may have ornamental designs on one or more surfaces of the housing.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosed technology or of what can be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of the disclosed technology. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative, but not restrictive, and the scope of the disclosed technology disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the implementations shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the disclosed technology and that various modifications can be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed technology. 

1. A jewelry clasp comprising: a first housing for fixedly securing a first magnet, the first magnet having an exposed face with a north pole, the first housing further including an open recess and a retaining wall with an opening; a second housing for fixedly securing a second magnet, the second magnet having an exposed face with a south pole, the second housing further including a connector; a magnetic locking arrangement wherein the second housing is removably secured within the open recess of the first housing with the north pole of the first magnet being magnetically attracted and aligned with the south pole of the second magnet; and a mechanical locking arrangement wherein the connector of the second housing is placed in the opening of the retaining wall.
 2. The jewelry clasp of claim 1 wherein a magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet aligns the exposed face of the first magnet with the exposed face of the second magnet in a flat position which in turn brings a bottom surface of the second housing in contact with a top surface of the recess of the first housing which in turn allows the connector of the housing to fit into the opening of retaining wall thereby mechanically securing the first housing with the second housing.
 3. The jewelry clasp of claim 2 wherein, to unlock the clasp, the first housing is pulled up and away from the second housing so that the connector is disengaged with the opening of retaining wall thereby removing the connector from its position within the opening and breaking a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.
 4. The jewelry clasp of claim 1 wherein the first magnet of the first housing includes a protrusion.
 5. The jewelry clasp of claim 4 wherein the second magnet of the second housing includes a void.
 6. The jewelry clasp of claim 5 wherein the protrusion fits into the void so that the first magnet properly aligns with the second magnet.
 7. The jewelry clasp of claim 2 wherein the top surface of the recess is partially or completely made from a layer of ferric metal.
 8. The jewelry clasp of claim 1 wherein the first magnet is fixedly secured in the first housing with a first set of flaps.
 9. The jewelry clasp of claim 8 wherein the second magnet is fixedly secured in the second housing with a second set of flaps.
 10. A jewelry clasp comprising: a first housing for fixedly securing a first magnet, the first magnet having an exposed face with a south pole, the first housing further including an open recess and a retaining wall with an opening; a second housing for fixedly securing a second magnet, the second magnet having an exposed face with a north pole, the second housing further including a connector; a magnetic locking arrangement wherein the second housing is removably secured within the open recess of the first housing and the south pole of the first magnet is magnetically attracted and aligned with the north pole of the second magnet; and a mechanical locking arrangement wherein the connector of the second housing is placed in the opening of the retaining wall.
 11. The jewelry clasp of claim 10 wherein a magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet aligns the exposed surfaces of the first magnet and the second magnet in a flat position which in turn brings a bottom surface of the second housing in contact with a top side of a bottom surface of the first housing which in turn allows the connector of the housing to fit into the opening of retaining wall thereby mechanically securing the first housing to the second housing.
 12. The jewelry clasp of claim 10 wherein, to unlock the clasp, the first housing is pulled up and away from the second housing so that the connector is disengaged with the opening of retaining wall thereby removing the connector from its position within the opening and breaking a magnetic force of the first magnet and the second magnet.
 13. The jewelry clasp of claim 10 wherein the first magnet of the first housing includes a protrusion.
 14. The jewelry clasp of claim 13 wherein the second housing of the second housing includes a void.
 15. The jewelry clasp of claim 14 wherein the protrusion fits into the void so that the first magnet properly aligns with the second magnet.
 16. The jewelry clasp of claim 11 wherein the top surface of the recess is partially or completely made from a layer of ferric metal.
 17. The jewelry clasp of claim 10 wherein the first magnet is fixedly secured in the first housing with a first set of flaps.
 18. The jewelry clasp of claim 17 wherein the second magnet is fixedly secured in the second housing with a second set of flaps. 